Marksmanship training device

ABSTRACT

My invention is a device used to analyze the movement of a firearm prior to discharge to be used to train the shooter marksmanship. 
     A series of motion sensors such as accelerometers and angle rate indicators (commonly called gyroscopes) are mounted in either the magazine inserted into the firearm, on a device designed to mount onto the firearm, or made as a permanent part of the firearm or a simulated firearm. These sensors will measure the motion of the firearm in up to six degrees of freedom in three dimensional space as well as detect the fall of the hammer or firing mechanism. 
     The data from these sensors prior to the detection of the hammer falling is then sent to a computer either by wires or by a wireless transmission where the data is analyzed to detect the motion of the firearm prior to the hammer falling. This device can be used without ammunition (dry firing) or as an analysis of live fire performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The development of miniature solid-state gyroscopes and accelerometersmakes it possible to analyze the motion of hand held objects undervarious configurations. The art of marksmanship requires extremelyaccurate control of the motion of the firearm. The process of trainingan individual in the art of marksmanship traditionally requires hours ofpractice with assistance by an instructor to observe the motion of thefirearm by the trainee and the resulting impact points of theprojectiles. The instructor then interprets the observations and givesfeedback to the trainee until the trainee has the experience tointerpret their own performance. This invention will perform immediatefeedback to the trainee and instructor and allow the trainee to practicewithout an instructor present.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Gyroscopes and accelerometers or combinations of accelerometers areattached to either an existing firearm or a firearm simulator so thatthe motion of the firearm can be measured. The sensors are connected toa computer via wires or a wireless data communication system. A computerthen analyses the motion of the firearm to detect a trigger pull eventin either dry-fire training or actual firearm discharge. The motionimmediately prior to discharge or release of the firing mechanism isthen analyzed and feedback is given to the user. The sensors may beintegrated into existing components of the firearm such as theammunition magazine or even a simulated ammunition cartridge.

SPECIFICATION

The invention consists of an inertial sensor or inertial sensors thatare incorporated into a firearm or a simulated firearm or an apparatusto be attached to a firearm. The inertial sensors may be one or moregyroscopes and one or more accelerometers. The sensors are eitherincorporated or attached to the firearm or simulated firearm so that themotion of the firearm or simulated firearm is directly measured by thesensors. A processing module analyzes the data from the sensors anddetermines the motion of the firearm immediately prior to a trigger pullevent and predicts the error in the impact point of the projectile dueto the motion of the firearm.

1. A firearm training system comprising inertial sensors affixed to afirearm or simulated firearm and a processing module that enables theuser to detect a trigger pull event, analyze the motion of the firearm,and predict the impact point of the projectile.
 2. A firearm trainingsystem of claim 1, wherein the inertial sensors comprises a single axis,dual axis, or triple axis gyroscope and a single axis, dual axis, ortriple axis accelerometer.
 3. A firearm training system of claim 1,wherein the components of the device are incorporated into an ammunitionmagazine so as to be removable from the firearm.
 4. A firearm trainingsystem of claim 1, wherein the components of the device are incorporatedinto an enclosure that may be affixed to the barrel of the firearm.
 5. Afirearm training system of claim 1, wherein the processing module is aseparate computer that contains the processing module logic and displaysthe results to the user.
 6. A firearm training system of claim 1,wherein the inertial sensors communicate with the processing modulethrough a wireless communication system.